Dental bridgework.



"0.. 1|3,o4o. 7 Patented Nov 4, 1902.

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DENTAL'BBIDGEWORK.

(Application filed How. 4, 1901.)

I (No Model.)

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V EMORY L. TOWNSEND, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

DENTAL BRIDGEWORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,040, dated November 4, 1902. Application filed November 4,1901. Serial No. 81,133. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMORY L. TOWNSEND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented'a certain new and useful Improvement in Bridgework, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the means whereby an artificial denture is-secured in the mouth between natural teeth in place of natural denture which has been removed therefrom; and the object thereof is to secure such artificial denture to the natural teeth without the use of cement. Iaccomplish this object by the bridge described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 represents a fragment of a jaw, showing the absence of two teeth between the abutment-teeth. Fig. 2 shows my improved bridge on said teeth. Fig. 3 shows 'the bridge detached from the teeth with the binding-screws removed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of Fig.

The mode of practicing my invention is as follows: An impression is taken of the abutment-teeth A and B and the jaw O therebetween. Metallic teeth of the exact configu ration are then cast, and a plain band, a little longer than sufficient to pass over an abutment-tooth, of the requisite width and thickness, is then fitted upon the metallic casts of the abutment-teeth by being drawn by properly-constructed pincers and hammered un til it conforms to the configuration of both sides and the external ends of the cast of the abutment-teeth and projects somewhat beyond the internal ends of the teeth. By the external ends of the abutment-teeth is meant the outside ends, those farthest apart, and by internal ends those nearest together. The intervening part of the bridgework which is to occupythe space between the abutment-teeth is then formed in the usual manner, which I will call the bridge D. The bands E, which have been fitted to the casts of the abutment-teeth, are cut so that a part thereof, which passes beyond the internal end, will overlap upon each side of each end of the bridge, and these ends are then fitted into the bridge and are securely affixed thereto on one side only by soldering or any other suitable manner. A hole is then drilled through the other end of the,band and into the bridge. The hole in the bridge is threaded and a screw F, passing through the hole in the band, is screwed into the bridge. The parts being fitted perfectly, the screw is removed and the ends of the band bent back,'as shown in Fig. 3, far enough so the bands will pass over the abutment-teeth in the mouth of the person desiring the bridge, around which they are placed. The ends of the bands are then bent in and secured to the bridge by the screws, when the work is complete. As the teeth are always larger between the crown and gum and as the bands fit the abutment-teeth perfectly, conforming to their configuration, they will hold the bridge firmly without the use of any adhesive substances, and the bridge-bands cannot move on the teeth.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An artificial bridge comprising an intermediate portion adapted to fit between the abutment-teeth; flexible bands fitted to conform to the configuration of said abutmentteeth connected to said intermediate portion at each end and adapted to pass around said abutment-teeth, the connection of one side of each band to the intermediate portion being removable.

2. An artificial bridgecomprising an intermediate portion adapted to fit between the abutment-teeth; flexible bands fitted to conform to the configuration of said abutmentteeth rigidly attached to said intermediate portion at one side thereof, and removably attached at the other side thereof, the free ends of said bands being adapted to be passed around said abutment-teeth and to be removably secured by screws to said intermediate portion.

In witness that I claim the foregoingI have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of October, 1901.

- EMORY L. TOWNSEND. 

